Sweetgrass turkey sexing

[HeritageFan]

I have some ~4 month old Sweetgrass turkeys, and am trying to do what I can to determine gender.

Hatched about 8/1

I am looking at color, snoods, wattles, carnuncle development, leg thickness....

All of those give me an idea (I know it isn’t a guarantee as some times the Toms are late bloomers!)

My question is about color development, as some that look very much like hens in all other areas, and look very much like Toms based on how dark their feathers are coming in.

I also know that size is less of a determining factor in this variety, due to the crosses that are behind these birds.

It’s also been terribly rainy here so please forgive the wet feathers for those the chose to stay out of the dry places today...!

I -think- these are all hens....?
Again. The color esp in the second pic is throwing me off :/

@R2elk
@Molpet
@Wyorp Rock

 

[R2elk]

I have some ~4 month old Sweetgrass turkeys, and am trying to do what I can to determine gender.

Hatched about 8/1

I am looking at color, snoods, wattles, carnuncle development, leg thickness....

All of those give me an idea (I know it isn’t a guarantee as some times the Toms are late bloomers!)

My question is about color development, as some that look very much like hens in all other areas, and look very much like Toms based on how dark their feathers are coming in.

I also know that size is less of a determining factor in this variety, due to the crosses that are behind these birds.

It’s also been terribly rainy here so please forgive the wet feathers for those the chose to stay out of the dry places today...!

I -think- these are all hens....?
Again. The color esp in the second pic is throwing me off :/

@R2elk
@Molpet
@Wyorp Rock

I never pay attention to the color when sexing my Sweetgrass.

I do find that the toms are bigger than the hens at 4 months old. Their legs are heavier and a little longer than the hens. At 2 months there is a brief tell. The toms will develop their wattles sooner than the hens do. The hens will quickly catch up.

My Sweetgrass toms are late in their snood development. Other characteristics show before their snoods.

I agree that all of the pictured ones appear to be hens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see all females.

 

[HeritageFan]

Thank you both!
I am just trying to confirm my assessments and happy to feel like I’m likely on the right track

 

[Molpet]

I agree

 

[austria89]

There is a slight sexual dimorphism in Sweetgrass turkeys. Males do have dark edges on their chest feathers, while females do have light ones.

This can also be observed in other Black-Winged Bronze varieties.

 

[austria89]

There is a slight sexual dimorphism in Sweetgrass turkeys. Males do have dark edges on their chest feathers, while females do have light ones.

View attachment 3670754

View attachment 3670755

View attachment 3670761

This can also be observed in other Black-Winged Bronze varieties.
View attachment 3670764

 

[HeritageFan]

Fascinating info!!
And fantastic photos - thank you!
Do you find that the changes in color in breast feathers also is indicative of gender in adolescent Sweetgrass turkeys?
I’ll have to take a closer look (and more photos of) my “kids” tomorrow once the sun is up again-

 

[Capricoco]

I’m going to agree with everyone above and say all girls. Beautiful babies!